Summer Recap (May and June)

This summer has been CRAZY! I feel like we are traveling every other weekend... oh wait, WE ARE! Trips to Georgia to visit family and friends, trips to Tennessee to visit even more family, then in August we will be going to Arkansas. On top of all that have been my bimonthly appointments to the OB to check on our newest little blessing due in November (who is growing nice and healthy!! PRAISE!). Then sprinkle in some story time at the library, trips to the pool in 90-100 degree weather, playing at the park, family walks at night.... it makes for a FUN but CRAZY summer! But I am ready to get back to blogging! I have missed writing. Here is a little recap on what our little family has been up to!  

Our Disney Cruise (MAY)

In the beginning of May we had a family first, our first CRUISE! We went on a Disney cruise with Daniel's whole family and it was an amazing vacation! Eli absolutely loved it and I am just a little bit sad that he won't remember the experience (but I guess that just means we will have to go again, right?!). He was in heaven with Mickey Mouse all around him, although his new favorites became Foofy (AKA Goofy) and Donald! We went to a show every night, a few dance parties throughout the week, the pool and splash pad were a daily necessity, plus our excursions at the different ports! The Disney Fantasy really was just that!

My Water Baby and Our Frequent Trips to Georgia 

Eli has truly turned into a little fishy this summer! We have been back and forth to my parent's house in Georgia this summer, taking full advantage of their pool (and company!). As a result, Eli is on his way to learning how to swim and he's not even two!
We started out in the beginning of May with a big, bulky, life vest and Eli hated it! Then we moved on to try out simple arm floaties. The first time Eli floated in the water by himself, he LOVED it! He has been non-stop ever since! In fact, the first thing he does when we get to Nana's house is ask to go in the pool and look for his floaties. He will even bring mom her shoes, put them on her feet, and ask her to take him outside! She usually complies, even when we get in sometimes at 11pm on a Friday! What a good Nana she is!
Now at halfway through the summer Eli jumps into the pool by himself, walks into the pool and pushes off the side, he can turn around and change direction, and he can kick to where he wants to go! Sometimes he doesn't even want anyone else to help or touch him! What a big boy he is becoming!

Not only do we swim at mom and dad's house, we also take advantage of our apartment pool. On Memorial Day weekend we also tried out the local splash pad and Eli had his first ice cream from the ice cream man!

Parks and Recreation 

This summer we have been trying out different parks in our area. Unfortunately about halfway through June we had to stop frequenting parks because it has just been way too hot! In Birmingham we've tried out our apartment park, the BIG park as Eli likes to call it, and the Crazy Duck Park. The BIG park is our favorite and we've been several times! It is constructed out of scrap wood and reclaimed/recycled materials, pretty cool! Eli loves the slides and the horse (maybe not as much as Daniel?)!

We've only braved the Crazy Duck Park once and I'm not sure if we will try it again! We went to feed the ducks and were swarmed by a gang of misfit (and apparently starving) birds! Eli loved it, but I was kind of scared for my life!

We've been going on family walks at night around our apartment complex this summer too! It is just TOO hot during the day to get outside a lot, so we've been waiting til the sun goes down and it's been good family time! Eli is such a typical little boy, he looks for any and all rocks, sticks, or bugs! He loves being outside!

The Library 

Eli and I have also been going to the shows in the Library theater every Tues/Weds and Story time on Thursdays. I'm not even sure that he knows libraries are for books because whenever we pull up he claps his hands and squeals "A show!!!" Oh well! The Library also has a preschool learn and play area with computer games, puzzles, and puppets - Eli loves it, especially all of the animal puppets! He picks them up, puts them on his hand, and makes their animal noise! I'm telling you the boy loves animals!

Friends of Summer 

This summer we have had a lot of fun making new friends and spending time with our old ones! Eli has made so many friends at church, both in Birmingham and in Georgia! Between Mommy and Me, VBS, summer get togethers, pool parties, and service projects Eli can find friends wherever we go! He loves giving hugs (and kisses), running around with the big kids, and joining in on whatever fun is going on!

We are looking forward to see what the rest of summer will bring and I hope to keep this blog more up to date! Soon summer will be over, we will be celebrating Eli's SECOND birthday, and then before we know it and God willing Little Bro will be here safe and sound!

Hope everyone else is having a wonderful summer with their families and friends!